3 John shows us the apostle John like a grandfather/father figure to Gaius. Walking in the Spirit is here described as walking in the truth. And Gaius demonstrates that he is walking in the truth through his loving provision for missionaries. By way of contrast, Diotrephes does not welcome the message or messengers of God. The third person mentioned, Demetrius, is commended for walking in the truth. John knows that for Gaius that "it goes well with your soul" (3 John 1:2). Do you have the assurance that comes through walking in the truth?

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Labels: assurance, demetrius, diotrephes, gaius, john, mission, missionaries, soul, spirit, truth

3 John shows us the apostle John like a grandfather/father figure to Gaius. Walking in the Spirit is here described as walking in the truth. And Gaius demonstrates that he is walking in the truth through his loving provision for missionaries. By way of contrast, Diotrephes does not welcome the message or messengers of God. The third person mentioned, Demetrius, is commended for walking in the truth. John knows that for Gaius that "it goes well with your soul" (3 John 1:2). Do you have the assurance that comes through walking in the truth?

Click here or the title to listen.

Labels: assurance, demetrius, diotrephes, gaius, john, mission, missionaries, soul, spirit, truth

Matthew 28:1-15 shows us that everyone agrees that the tomb was empty on the first day of the week. Where they disagree is on the question: Why is the tomb empty? In this sermon several of the most persuasive evidences and arguments for the resurrection are mentioned, but the sermon means to confront people with the authority of the risen and reigning Lord. And the sermon takes seriously that unbelievers will interpret these things through sin-stained glasses but believers have been changed by the work of the Spirit so that they will interpret these things wanting to believe the truth as we find it in the Scriptures.

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The Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 45 says this, "What benefit do we receive from the resurrection of Christ? First, by his resurrection he has overcome death that he might make us share in the righteousness which he has obtained for us through his death. Second, we too are now raised by his power to a new life. Third, the resurrection of Christ is a sure pledge to us of our blessed resurrection."

Labels: apologetics, christ, evidences, heidelberg catechism, Matthew, resurrection

Matthew 28:1-15 shows us that everyone agrees that the tomb was empty on the first day of the week. Where they disagree is on the question: Why was the tomb empty? In this sermon several of the most persuasive evidences and arguments for the resurrection are mentioned, but the sermon means to confront people with the authority of the risen and reigning Lord. And the sermon takes seriously that unbelievers will interpret these things through sin-stained glasses but believers have been changed by the work of the Spirit so that they will interpret these things wanting to believe the truth as we find it in the Scriptures.

Click here or the title to listen.

The Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 45 says this, "What benefit do we receive from the resurrection of Christ? First, by his resurrection he has overcome death that he might make us share in the righteousness which he has obtained for us through his death. Second, we too are now raised by his power to a new life. Third, the resurrection of Christ is a sure pledge to us of our blessed resurrection."

Labels: apologetics, christ, evidences, heidelberg catechism, Matthew, resurrection

Matt 27 is the climax of the clash between the Pharisees and Sadducees, on the one hand, and Jesus on the other. This climax includes the death and burial of Christ, but today we stressed the rest of the story. They are still eager to accuse Jesus (cf. v.12-14), they have envy coming out of their evil hearts (v.18) as even Pilate can see, and they view Jesus as the antichrist before and after His death (v.42-43 and 63-64). They need Jesus and so do you. He saw to the work of covering sins with His death. And His Spirit can transform you from envying others to having good intentions and a good will toward others, and from eagerness to accuse others to a deep self-examination, and to see Jesus as the Christ.

Click here or the title to listen.

Labels: envy, heart, Matthew, Pharisees, Pilate, Sadducees

Matt 27 is the climax of the clash between the Pharisees and Sadducees, on the one hand, and Jesus on the other. This climax includes the death and burial of Christ, but today we stressed the rest of the story. They are still eager to accuse Jesus (cf. v.12-14), they have envy coming out of their evil hearts (v.18) as even Pilate can see, and they view Jesus as the antichrist before and after His death (v.42-43 and 63-64). They need Jesus and so do you. He saw to the work of covering sins with His death. And His Spirit can transform you from envying others to having good intentions and a good will toward others, and from eagerness to accuse others to a deep self-examination, and to see Jesus as the Christ.

Click here or the title to listen.

Labels: antichrist, death, envy, heart, Matthew, Pharisees, Pilate, Sadducees